• Lifelong resident of Omaha
• Graduate of Westside High School
• Small business owner and attorney
• Omaha Housing Authority - currently Executive Director, past Chairman of the Board
• Omaha Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority for Qwest Center Omaha, Founding Board Member
• Omaha State Senator, 1987-1995
• Westside High School Hall of Fame Inductee – 2004
• Married to Ann; three children: John, Ellie, and Tom

RESUME:

PROFESSIONAL: Government

State Senator, Sixth Legislative District, Nebraska          1987-1995

Principal sponsorship included the following legislation: Adoption of comparative negligence standard of liability for tort cases; adoption of Community Corrections systems for State of Nebraska; establishment of mediation as an alternative in domestic relations cases (Parenting Act); funding for the restoration of the Omaha Civic Auditorium; historic preservation (Joslyn Castle); background checks to help prevent felons from purchasing handguns; and Medicaid managed care. Co-sponsorship of legislation in the following areas: juvenile and adult crime including mediating a Crime Summit with elected leaders in 1994 to help break legislative log jam; economic development including LB 775; special education; teachers' pay; welfare reform; and development of initial funding for the AIM Institute. Sponsored the NebraskaPlex Plan which laid the ground work for State involvement in the development of what was to become the Qwest Center.

Membership on Appropriations, Judiciary and Transportation Committees and Chairman of the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee.

Judge, Nebraska Court of Industrial Relations          1984-1986

Attorney, General Counsel's Office, Federal Highway Administration, Washington, D.C.          1974-1975

 

PROFESSIONAL: Other

Executive Director, Omaha Housing Authority          2004-present

Responsible for the executive direction of the public housing authority for the metropolitan Omaha area. Focus on budget, planning, execution, direction, and facilitating to provide public housing for low income individuals and families. Works closely with other agencies, federal government, the media, and the Board.

Vice President, Business Development Investor, Discoverwhy.com          1998-2003

As a member of the senior management team, assisted in development and implementation of business plan, financing, marketing and sales, and strategic alliances with private and public entities. Focused on development and implementation of survey tools for public policy issues and political campaigns and well as consumer product marketing.

Co-Owner, Nebraska Clothing Company(Family business since 1893)          1993-Present.

Men's and women's retail clothing store in historic district of Omaha.

Attorney, Private Practice, Bradford and Coenen          1975 to 2003

Experience in labor law, business litigation, workers' compensation, personal injury, general business practice, and government relations.

Hearing Examiner, Nebraska Department of Education          1983-1984

Mediation and arbitration of special education cases.

 

EDUCATION

Colgate University Hamilton, NY Bachelor of Arts 1971 Cum Laude Phi Beta Kappa

Creighton University School of Law Omaha, NE Juris Doctor 1974

 

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Active Member, Nebraska Bar Association and non resident member of Minnesota Bar Association
• Certification, Mediator under Nebraska Alternative Dispute Resolution Act and the Parenting Act
• Certification, Mediator for Federal District Court of Nebraska

 

PROFESSIONAL AND CIVIC AFFILIATIONS

Nebraska Bar Association, Omaha Bar Association, American Bar Association
Minnesota Bar Association
Omaha Chamber of Commerce Leadership Omaha Class of 1988
American Arbitration Association – past panel member
Nebraska Court of Industrial Relations – past panel member for mediation services
RACECO – former Board member
Douglas County Efficiency Committee – past committee chair
Downtown Omaha, Inc. – past Board member
Old Market Association – past Vice President
Downtown Business Improvement District – past Board member
Omaha Housing Authority – past Chairman and current Executive Director
Metropolitan Omaha Convention Sports Entertainment Authority – Board member
Salvation Army Advisory Board
Westside High School Open Enrollment Committee – current member

 

HONORS

Legislator of the Year, Nebraska Police Chiefs' Association
Induction into Omicron Delta Kappa Honorary Society – UNO – 1993
State Preservation Award – 1991
Nebraska State Education Association Friend of Education Award – 1988
AAUP Higher Education Award – 1987
Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys Annual Award – 1991
Westside High School Hall of Fame Inductee – 2004

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